Abhijeet Dipke
Born (1995-09-29) 29 September 1995 (age 30)[1]
Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India[2]
Alma mater Boston University (MSc)[3]
Occupation Political communication strategist[4]
Years active 2020–present
Known for Founder of the Cockroach Janta Party[5]

Abhijeet Dipke (born 29 September 1995) is an Indian political communication strategist and the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP),[6] a satirical political movement that started in May 2026 after remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.[7][8][4]

Early life and education

Abhijeet Dipke was born on 29 September 1995 in Aurangabad (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra.[1][2] His father Bhagwanrao Dipke is a retired engineer from MIDC, and his mother Anita Dipke is a homemaker.[1] He completed his primary education in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and later studied at S.B. College.[1]

Dipke earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism in Pune.[4][2] His father had initially secured his admission in engineering through management quota, but Dipke did not appear for the first-year exams and later shifted to mass media.[1] He then moved to the United States and completed a Master of Science in Public Relations from Boston University.[3][7]

Career

Work with Aam Aadmi Party

Between 2020 and 2023, Dipke worked as a volunteer with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) social media team.[4][2] During the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election, which AAP won under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership, he made meme-based digital content aimed at young voters.[4][3] He also served as a communication advisor for the Delhi government's education department.[9] He left AAP in 2023 to study abroad.[3]

Cockroach Janta Party

Main article: Cockroach Janta Party

On 15 May 2026, Chief Justice Surya Kant said during a Supreme Court hearing: "There are youngsters like cockroaches, who do not get any employment or have any place in a profession. Some of them become media, some become social media, RTI activists, and they start attacking everyone."[8][5] The next day, Dipke posted on X: "What if all cockroaches come together?"[8] He then created the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical online group, setting up a website and a Google Form for membership.[5][9]

Within days, the party had over 350,000 registered members.[8] By 21 May 2026, the CJP's Instagram account had crossed 19 million followers, more than any other political party in India.[4][10] The party's X account, which had over 200,000 followers, was later withheld in India "in response to a legal demand."[5][7] Dipke responded to this on X, calling it an "own goal."[5]

Dipke also claimed that attempts were made to hack the party's Instagram account. In a video message, he said: "Many attempts are being made to hack our account. I find it funny that these cowards are targeting young 20-21-year-old students."[5]

In an interview with India Today, Dipke said: "Someone who is there to safeguard our freedom of expression is comparing us with cockroaches and parasites for just putting up our opinion."[11]

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dipke explained why he picked the cockroach as a symbol: "Those in power think citizens are cockroaches and parasites. They should know that cockroaches breed in rotten places. That's what India is today."[8]

Parents' concerns

Following the rapid rise of the Cockroach Janta Party, Dipke's parents expressed concerns about his entry into politics. His mother Anita Dipke told a Marathi news channel that they had lost sleep after learning about his move. His father Bhagwanrao said he wanted his son to take up a job in Pune or Delhi instead of entering politics.[10][1] His mother also stated: "He has been rebellious since childhood. Once he decides something, he goes ahead and does it. That is what worries us the most."[1]

Political positions

Dipke has called the Cockroach Janta Party a "platform" for young Indians who feel left out of mainstream politics.[7] The party's manifesto includes demands for a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Cabinet, and cancellation of licenses for media houses owned by the Adani Group and Reliance Industries.[8]

Dipke stated the CJP is not connected to any existing political party, including the AAP, even though he used to work with them.[8] Asked whether the movement would last, Dipke told The Statesman: "I am not delusional; I know this can die out in a few days. I do want to make it an independent body, but the least I can do is create a space or platform for people, especially the youth, to be heard."[5]

Threats

On 22 May 2026, Dipke claimed that he had received death threats via WhatsApp from anonymous numbers. According to screenshots shared by Dipke, the messages allegedly asked him to shut down the party's social media accounts or join the BJP, while also threatening to kill him in the United States.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Despite his viral success, Abhijeet's parents worry about his entry into politics". Lokmat Times. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d "Abhijeet Dipke — The 30-year-old behind Cockroach Janta Party's viral rise". The Tribune. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d "Explained: Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, The Man Behind India's Most Unexpectedly Viral Political Satire?". ETV Bharat. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, Founder Of Online Sensation Cockroach Janta Party". NDTV. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Cockroach Janata Party's X (Twitter) account withheld in India". The Statesman. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  6. ^ Jain, Sanya (21 May 2026). "Who is Abhijeet Dipke, the Boston-educated founder of Cockroach Janata Party?". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d "India has a new political superstar - a cockroach". BBC News. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "'Cockroach Janta Party': Top Indian judge's comment sparks satire, protest". Al Jazeera. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  9. ^ a b "Who Is Abhijeet Dipke: कोण आहेत 'कॉक्रोच जनता पार्टी'चे संस्थापक?". Times Now Marathi. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  10. ^ a b "Cockroach Janta Party founder Dipke's parents averse to son's 'pursuit of politics'". The Tribune. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  11. ^ "Meet the man behind Cockroach Janta Party". India Today. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  12. ^ "'Marwa denge tujhe': Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke receives death threats on Whatsapp". The Times of India. 22 May 2026. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  13. ^ "CNN-News18 post on X regarding threats". X (formerly Twitter). CNN-News18. Retrieved 23 May 2026.